In today’s fast-paced world, people are encountering various challenges that can significantly impact their mental and physical well-being. Holistic wellness programs and embracing active lifestyles have emerged as essential ways to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall mental health. Studies have demonstrated that these wellness initiatives can lead to an 18% reduction in stress levels, ultimately resulting in happier and healthier lives.
Dr. Shankar Srinivas Kuchibatla, a visionary in the field of healthcare, recognized the pressing need to address the growing health concerns in our society. With a profound understanding of the significance of a holistic approach to well-being, he founded OPENMINDS Psychiatry. This center serves as a beacon of hope and support for the community, offering a range of services that bridge the gap between traditional and modern healthcare practices.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Kindly tell us the source of inspiration. What led you to venture into the mental health sector?
My source of inspiration is driven by my commitment to providing comprehensive care for clients with mental health difficulties. I firmly believe in the Biopsychosocial model, aiming to support individuals on their journey to recovery. This vision led to the establishment of OPENMINDS. As a former Medical Director, I recognized the significance of a holistic approach, integrating psychology, psychiatry, and lifestyle changes in treatment. Our team focuses on education, treatment, medication management, and support groups, catering to people of all ages, from children to the elderly. Our ultimate goal is to promote well-being and mental health for all in need.
Brief us about the company and shed some light on its operations to provide mental health service to the patients.
Openminds Center in Dubai is a leading Psychiatry, Counseling, and Neuroscience facility catering to individuals of all ages, from children and adolescents to adults and senior citizens. Our highly qualified team is dedicated to delivering patient-oriented, high-quality mental health services, empowering individuals to achieve their highest potential and lead fulfilling lives. Community service is our pride, and we strive to provide the best possible care to our valued patients.
Our focus is on ensuring every client embarks on a safe, secure, and committed journey throughout their treatment. The operations department handles lead/client coordination, scheduling appointments for new clients, while our courteous front desk and reception staff warmly greet and assist visitors meeting the clinical team. Client feedback is essential to us, as we continuously improve our processes and enhance communication across departments, fostering a collaborative approach.
To streamline medication access and save our clients’ time and resources, we offer controlled medications prescribed by our psychiatrists through OPENMINDS Pharmacy, situated within our center. Additionally, we provide direct billing services for most major insurance companies in the UAE, covering consultations, therapies, and pharmacy services.
OPENMINDS Center is duly licensed by KHDA Knowledge Human Development Authority and extends workshops and courses to professionals in nurseries, schools, and therapists, supporting their continuous professional development requirements.
To promote a supportive environment for recovery, our psychologists facilitate free-of-cost self-help/support groups. These groups offer a safe space for individuals seeking assistance in their journey towards healing.
We actively participate in the DHA-Dubai Health Authority private internship Program for medical interns and offer a Psychology internship Program for undergraduate psychology students, fostering the growth of future mental health professionals.
Dr. Shankar Srinivas Kuchibatla, our esteemed Medical Director and Founder/CEO, leads the team at OPENMINDS Psychiatry Counseling and Neuroscience Centre.
Clients find convenience in continuing their follow-up appointments and counseling sessions with our attentive customer service staff.
In order to provide a multidisciplinary approach, we have initiated dedicated Neurological consultations and offer nursing support, including services like blood sampling, ECG, EEG, and vital check-ups.
As we head into 2023, we reaffirm our commitment to being the best mental health service provider, continuing to serve our community with excellence and compassion.
Can you elaborate upon the core values on which the company is built and what is the mission of the company?
Openminds is founded on core values, encompassing excellent mental health care for our service users, a strong focus on recovery, and a commitment to education, training, and cost-effectiveness in our services. Our mission is to be a premier mental health service provider in Dubai, recognized for delivering high-quality, recovery-oriented care across a comprehensive range of mental health services. We aspire to excel in all aspects of our offerings while leading in specialized areas. Our dedication to quality, education, training, and cost-effectiveness sets us apart, and we aim to surpass international best practices in delivering exceptional mental health care.
In what ways does the company’s services help the patient population in resolving their psychological and emotional needs? Tell us about the process of delivering mental health services at the company.
Openminds Center is committed to meeting the psychological and emotional needs of patients through a comprehensive array of mental health services. With a patient-oriented approach, our highly qualified professionals are dedicated to serving the community’s best interests. Our mission is to empower individuals and foster self-determination by equipping them with innovative strategies that lead to positive and healthy outcomes.
Through seminars, training, therapeutic groups, and individual, couples, and family counseling, we strive to raise awareness of the needs of at-risk residents within the community. Our services are tailored to enhance self-esteem, self-respect, and respect for others, promoting overall well-being and improving the quality of life.
Openminds is committed to delivering excellent, recovery-focused care across a broad range of mental health services, often surpassing international best practices. Our future plans include the development of a dedicated child psychiatry and psychology service using a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, as well as a neurology service to complement and support our neuroscience offerings.
Additionally, we will continue our awareness programs in collaboration with various organizations, schools, and universities to spread mental health awareness far and wide.
What role does compassion play when serving patients who are experiencing intense emotional or psychological conflicts such as anxiety, depression, or going through difficult life situations such as death of a loved one, or divorce? How is it related to the treatment?
The stigma surrounding mental illness, coupled with limited awareness and access to professional help, results in only 10-12% of sufferers seeking assistance. A study in various cities revealed mixed opinions, with some still holding stigmatic views, describing individuals with mental health conditions as “retarded,” “lazy,” or “crazy.” This highlights the interconnected yet separate issues of stigma and awareness.
Addressing these challenges in parallel is crucial to combat the burden of mental illness. As long as apprehension and resistance towards mental health persist, individuals may hesitate to seek support for fear of being judged or labeled. Creating a more understanding and accepting environment is essential to encourage those with mental health concerns to access the help they need.
What psychological tools/therapies does the company find to be essential in conducting mental health treatment?
Psychology delves into the study of mental processes, behavior, and the intricate relationship between the two. Mental processes encompass learning, motivation, reasoning, emotions, and more, allowing us to understand how humans think, feel, learn, interact, and perceive themselves and their environment.
Clinical psychologists possess specialized training to assist individuals of various ages facing behavioral, emotional, or psychological distress that hampers their daily functioning and well-being. Their primary objective is to reduce distress, promote psychological well-being, minimize exclusion and inequalities, and empower service users to engage in meaningful relationships, valued work, and leisure activities. Clinical psychologists work with individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Through thorough observation, interviews, and assessments, clinical psychologists identify existing or potential emotional, mental, or behavioral disorders in their clients’ lives. Together with the clients, they develop tailored treatment plans based on their needs. Regularly monitoring the progress, psychologists ensure that the course of action aligns with the clients’ requirements and make necessary adjustments as needed.
Their roles encompass identifying psychological issues, diagnosing disorders, creating and implementing treatment plans, conducting research, helping clients define goals, monitoring progress, and providing guidance and support to achieve personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. Additionally, they may engage in teaching classes and educational initiatives to further disseminate knowledge and understanding in the field of psychology.
What endeavors is the company currently pursuing to improve its mental health measures for people?
- Blood markers etc.
- AI Integration
- Psychometric assessments
- Neurology and related services
- TeleHealth
- Home Healthcare
- Education and Training
- Self Help and Support groups
What advice would you like to give to budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who desire to venture into the mental health sector?
For anyone considering a business in the mental health sector, comprehensive industry research is vital. Understanding different mental illnesses, available treatments, and current trends and challenges is crucial. Building a strong network is essential, as collaboration with professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and social workers is necessary to address the complexities of mental health. Ethics and empathy should be at the forefront of all operations, prioritizing clients’ mental and emotional well-being over profits. A unique value proposition, be it a specialized service, unique product, or specific target audience, will set the business apart from competitors.
How do you envision scaling your organization’s services and operations in 2023 and beyond?
To enhance the scalability of a psychiatry and child intervention center’s services and operations in 2023 and beyond, various strategic measures have been adopted. This includes augmenting the team by recruiting additional mental health professionals and administrative staff to meet the surging demand for services. The center boasts clinicians specializing in various subfields of psychiatry, psychology, and therapies for children.
Leveraging technology is a priority, with the center incorporating telehealth services, mobile apps, and online therapy sessions to ensure accessible and convenient mental health support. Collaborations with other mental health organizations, schools, hospitals, and community centers further enhance the provision of comprehensive services.
New programs specifically targeting certain mental health issues or client groups have been developed, while recent initiatives like HOME HEALTH SERVICES extend the center’s geographic reach for specialized care. Regular evaluations and optimizations are carried out to identify areas for improvement and enhance operational efficiency.
By implementing these initiatives, OPENMINDS CENTER, a psychiatry and child intervention facility, is poised to successfully expand its services and operations throughout 2023 and beyond.
What are some of the testimonials or recognition that accurately highlight your organization’s position in the market?
Awards: MEA Business Award, MEA Global Health & Pharma Mental Health Awards 2023. Covid-19 Healthcare Excellence Award – WMC, Emerging Healthcare Brand – Elets Global Healthcare Summit & Awards, Google Reviews.
